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Learn why ergonomics is a business solution and not a business problem The Ergonomics
Edge Improving Safety, Quality, and Productivity Dan MacLeod It is time for ergonomics
to be seen in its true light. Too often, the subject of ergonomics appears to be
complicated, expensive, and a burden on industry. It has gained visibility because of hefty
regulatory fines and product liability law-suits. As a result, many managers consider
ergonomics to be just another business headache. In The Ergonomics Edge, Dan
MacLeod demonstrates why ergonomics is really good news for managers, revealing how
it can actually be a formidable weapon in a company’s quest to gain competitive
advantage. MacLeod is one of the leading practitioners of workplace ergonomics in the
U.S., and has successfully applied ergonomics in many manufacturing and service
industries. He shows how improving the user-friendliness of both the workplace and a
company’s end-product can lead to reduced workers’ comp, turnover, absenteeism, and
other cost savings. Moreover, he reveals how ergonomics can lead to higher earnings
through greater worker productivity and increased sales. Highly illustrated and written in
a conversational style, The Ergonomics Edge provides a non-technical approach designed
to demystify this subject that many find daunting. Section 1 presents basic ergonomic
principles and discusses how these serve to enhance the functioning of any business, and
goes on to show how businesses can respond to new and impending OSHA and ANSI
standards in a way that promotes efficient business operation. Section 2 explores a
number of specific issues, offering insight into:
If you or others in your department experience ergonomic risk factors on your job, it is
your responsibility to learn more about ergonomics and take action. The campus
Ergonomics Program offers comprehensive resources to help you carry out these
responsibilities.
Public Workshops
The Nuts & Bolts of Ergonomics: Increasing Productivity, Quality & Safety
View Workshop Dates and Locations
This course will teach you the practical steps in identifying ergonomic hazards.
Ergonomic principles can immediately be applied to your own work environment to
control and eliminate ergonomic hazards.
This allows a much wider range of adjustment, and helps you maintain a proper
ergonomic setup. Choose a system that is height adjustable, lets you tilt the keyboard
away from you slightly for better posture (negative tilt), and allows you to use the mouse
with your upper arms relaxed and as close to the body as possible.
2. Make sure the height of your keyboard allows you to keep an "open angle" with
your arms.
In the proper position, the keyboard should be placed just above the level of your lap.
This is lower than most people normally place their keyboard, but lets your arms tilt
downward while using the keyboard, leaving your elbows at a comfortable "open" angle.
(If you don't have an adjustable keyboard tray, you may need to accomplish this by
adjusting your chair height).
3 . If your keyboard is lower than the desk surface, tilt the back edge of the
keyboard slightly down (known as "negative keyboard tilt").
Using a slightly negative keyboard tilt will help you keep your wrists in the proper
(neutral) position. Try to avoid positive keyboard tilt (i.e., where the top row of keys is
noticeably higher than the bottom row of keys). Also, make sure that if there are "legs"
attached to the bottom front of your keyboard, they are left un-extended.
4. If you use a keyboard tray, make sure there's enough room for your mouse.
Your mouse should be close to your keyboard so that you don't have to reach far to grasp
it.
Split keyboards divide the keyboard into two halves, each of which points slightly
outwards. The outward angle lets your wrists and forearms point inward without
requiring your elbows to come in as far, better conforming to the contours of your body.
Conversely, thinner people may find a traditional "straight" keyboard more comfortable.
1 . Use a light touch when typing (don't bang on the keyboard!) .
Try to use the minimum amount of force necessary to depress the keys. The tendons
from your fingers connect near your elbow, so striking the keys too hard can lead to
problems you might not associate with your keyboard—for example, pain and
inflammation in your elbows (Epicondylitis).
Repeatedly bending your wrists up and down (extension and flexion) compresses
structures inside the carpal tunnel in the wrist. This can cause pain and lead to injuries
like carpal tunnel syndrome. When you're typing, your forearms tend to sag as the
arms tire, putting the wrists into even greater wrist extension—another good reason to
take frequent stretch or rest breaks!
Keeping your elbows bent less than 90° can cause nerve compression, leading to sore
wrists and arms. Adjust the height of your chair or your keyboard tray to achieve a
comfortable position.
You shouldn't have to raise your shoulders to get your hands to reach the keyboard—
try raising your chair instead. Your forearms should be roughly parallel to the floor. If
your chair has armrests, the armrests should comfortably support your elbows during
rest breaks.
If your workstation has wrist rests or armrests, be sure to use them only while taking
breaks. Never use wrist rests or armrests while typing. A wrist rest should be used to
rest the heel of your palm, not your wrist itself.
Keyboards aren't symmetrical. Letter keys are on the left and the numeric keypad is on
the right, but most people center themselves with the entire keyboard or keyboard tray
—not the letters! This puts the keyboard a little too far to the left. If you use the letters
most, it makes sense to align yourself with that section—the "B" key should be about
in line with your belly button.
Voice recognition programs allow you to dictate to your computer and free yourself